In 2004, after graduating from from L’Anse Creuse North High School in Macomb, Michigan, Washington Capitals defenseman Steve Oleksy seemed destined for a career in baseball.

The Chesterfield, Michigan-native played two sports all his life: hockey and baseball. During his freshman year at Macomb Community College, Oleksy played on the Monarch’s baseball team. Later, he earned a scholarship to Oakland University near Detroit. Oleksy even attended an orientation there, before that little voice inside his head nagged him that hockey was his true calling.

Oleksy started his hockey career playing for ex-NHL forward Mike Stapleton and Scott Gardiner with the Traverse City North Stars of the North American Hockey League. After an impressive season at Traverse City, Oleksy earned a scholarship to Lake Superior State University. The rest is history.